SPIRITUAL LIVING
Prayer and Devotions
A Sacred Place
by Father Roderick Ermatinger, LC
Today, pray that your heart, mind, and soul will be sacred and holy dwelling places for the Blessed Trinity.
November 23, 2007
Friday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
Luke 19: 45-48
Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; and he said, "It is written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer'; but you have made it a den of robbers." Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard.
Introductory Prayer: Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind and heart with the virtue of faith. I want to see my life in the true light of faith that comes from friendship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit, bless me with the virtue of hope. Never allow me to fall into despair or even into disappointment, since our Lord has defeated sin and death, opening the gates of heaven for me. Inflame my heart with a passionate love for my Lord and for my neighbor. Set it ablaze, and through me inflame the hearts of many for the Truth that sets man free to do the will of the Father.
Petition: Lord Jesus, I want to be a holy dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
1. A Place Turned Upside Down What did our Lord see when he walked into the Temple and saw people engaged in common, everyday business? It must have looked like a marketplace, a modern day mall. The things of this world had replaced the things of heaven; the house of God was turned into a place where people took advantage of others financially — a place where material objects ruled the hearts and minds of people.
2. Our Hearts Are Sacred Places Our Lord became incensed. His house was desecrated. The sacred place where men, women, and children were called to speak to God heart-to-heart had become corrupt. It had become a place where greed and dishonesty ruled, and because of that, many people fell. Jesus wants to reign in our hearts. If the things of this world rule our hearts, however, we should get on our knees and beg Christ to clean out our hearts, our minds, and our souls.
3. A Place Where Christ Can Work Let us seek to be like the people at the Temple who watched with awe as Christ turned over the tables, spilled the money bags, and cracked his whip to drive the animals and merchants out of his house. They were even more awestruck by his words, because he spoke as one with authority. We would do well to read the Gospels each day. Little by little our Lord will clean our hearts and minds, and we will be awed by the miracles he will do in our souls.
Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, I am sorry for the things to which I have attached my heart, creatures that do not bring me closer to you. I am weak; yet I do love you, and I know you love me. Today I renew my desire to be your worthy dwelling place. Take over my heart; it is yours.
Resolution: Today I will pray that my heart, mind, and soul will be sacred and holy dwelling places for the Blessed Trinity.
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